Dealership overheated my engine

[ColtB45]

I need advice. In March I dropped my 2025 JLUR (just under 9,500 miles, about 8 months old) at a dealer to replace failing roller rockers on the passenger side. They replaced the parts, but overheated my engine on the test drive. They didn’t tell me any of this, I only found out after I watched my dash-cam when I got home. They admit they failed to secure a coolant hose clamp(s), subsequently blew the hose off, and overheated my engine from running it dry.

When I went to pick it up, and before I knew any of this, the engine bay was covered in a white crust the dealer said was de-greaser (it wasn’t). I was skeptical. I also noticed a badly scratched passenger-side plastic fender, which they agreed to fix.

On the drive home the engine felt rougher, noisier, and less powerful. When I got home I checked the dash cam and discovered all that happened.

After I watched the video I confronted the dealer; they admit they failed to secure the coolant hose clamp(s) but deny responsibility for engine damage. They agreed to replace the fender but refuse to accept liability for the engine. In addition to all that, I also discovered they chipped paint on my hood & grill, and gouged my front bumper with a philips screwdriver. The dealer has since agreed to replace the fender and bumper, but claims they did no damage to the engine.

I didn’t drive the Jeep for a month while trying to resolve this. I paid an independent shop about $500 for compression test, coolant system pressurization test, and a borescope inspection. Results: one bank cylinders 150, 156, & 154 psi, the other bank 150, 151, 159. Coolant system pressurized with only 1 psi loss; bore-scope looked OK. The independent mechanic heard the noise, said it’s not normal, and recommended taking it to a trusted dealer and documenting a history in case the engine fails.

The engine still runs and there’s no check engine light, but it’s noticeably less powerful, gets worse MPG, and is noisier (sounds like uneven valvetrain noise). I used to be able to cruise around at 60 mph in 8th gear on level ground (and mild inclines) all day, now I barely see 7th gear on the same stretches of road.

The dealer has since told me to take my business elsewhere. I haven’t returned the Jeep to them, not even for the agreed fender and bumper repairs.

By my estimate, they drove the vehicle hard without coolant for just over 3 minutes. Check the video and timeline below.

I don’t know what to do next. I hate to let the dealership get away with leaving me holding the bag for damage they did, but I don’t know how to get them to make it right.

Here is the video:


[Video Time (seek) / Real Time on 3/19/2026]

before this clip starts / 14:18:08 - Engine is started

0:00:00 / 15:02:33 - Tech 1 challenges another Tech to race while the engine is still running. The engine has been running for approximately 44 minutes at this point.

0:00:41 / 15:03:14 - Tech 1 almost backs into another vehicle and rear collision warning system goes off.

0:01:17 / 15:03:50 - Tech 1 begins driving vehicle aggressively, hard acceleration.

0:01:21 / 15:03:54 – The pavement in front of the dealership is dry. This is when and where I think the coolant hose popped off depleting the engine of coolant.

0:02:20 / 15:04:52 - Tech 1 turns down blower and what I suspect is the Engine over heating alarm can be heard. It is continuously audible from this point forward.

0:03:48 / 15:06:21 - road debris impacts windshield

0:04:02 / 15:06:35 - more road debris impact

0:04:16 / 15:06:49 - Tech 1 "Oh s***, this f***ers low".

0:04:34 / 15:07:07 - Tech 1 pulls over and kills engine. This appears to more than 3 minutes after the hose popped off. The cooling fan can be heard screaming.

0:04:47 / 15:07:20 - Steam can be seen escaping the hood.

0:05:23 / 15:07:57 - Tech 1 while talking to someone gets out and pops the hood.

0:07:47 / 15:18:34 - Tech 1 closes the hood.

0:08:00 / 15:20:48 - Tech 2 arrives, pops the hood.

0:08:06 / 15:21:46 - The engine is restarted.

0:08:30 / 15:22:29 - Tech 1 closes the hood.

0:08:47 / 15:22:52 - Begins trip back to dealership

0:09:16 / 15:23:21 - more road debris impact.

0:09:17 / 15:23:22 - What I suspect is the engine over heating alarm can be heard for the remainder of the trip.

0:12:08 / 15:56:13 – 0:12:18 / 15:26:23 – The pavement in front of the dealership is wet. I believe this is my Jeeps coolant from the hose popping off at 0:01:21 / 15:03:54.

0:09:48 / 12:23:53 - Tech 1 turns AC heater on high.

0:12:40 / 15:26:45 - Jeep pulls back into service bay.

0:12:57 / 15:27:03 - Tech 1 gets out and pops hood.

0:16:29 / 15:30:37 - Tech 1 gets back in Jeep and backs up slightly.

0:16:39 / 15:30:47 - Tech 1 gets out and goes back to the front of the Jeep.

0:21:12 / 15:35:18 - Tech 1 slams jeep door. Someone else can be heard saying "Come on now, settle down".

0:25:20 / 15:39:25 - Tech 1 closes the hood and removes several coolant jugs.

0:26:57 / 15:41:05 - Tech 1 gets back in the Jeep and takes it on a second test drive.

0:31:24 / 15:45:31 - more road debris impact from following a dully closely.

0:31:50 / 15:45:56 - more road debris impact from same truck.

0:33:18 / 15:47:25 - more road debris impact from same truck.

0:35:06 / 15:49:13 - more road debris impact from new truck closely.

0:35:36 / 15:49:42 - more road debris impact from new truck.

0:36:18 / 15:50:25 - aggressive acceleration

0:38:31 / 15:52:38 - Tech 1 crosses left of center while oncoming traffic is present in a double yellow.

0:39:12 / 15:53.18 - more road debris.

0:40:45 / 15:54:51 - Tech 1 exits Jeep.

0:40:54 / 15:55:01 - Tech 1 pops hood.

0:42:42 / 15:56:48 - Tech 1 sprays down engine very minimally.

0:43:15 / 15:57:21 - Tech 1 closes hood.

0:44:07 / 15:58:14 - Tech 1 parks, kills the engine, and exits the Jeep.

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[WhereRU_A-A-Ron]

You are way more patient than me, I’ll tell you that. Sounds like you are doing a good job documenting everything. I would not drive it unless you absolutely have to. You should also 100% out this dealership for sucking so spectacularly.

I would start by trying to get more support from @JeepCares. You need to make it crystal clear that you are going to become a problem for them until your Jeep is fixed 100% including the cosmetic damage. Unfortunately, good customer service and taking ownership over mistakes is now seemingly locked behind a door that can only be opened when someone just decides that you are too much of a problem to ignore anymore.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted.

 

[ColtB45]

I already engaged @JeepCares (case 96116680 ). They told me there is nothing they can (will) do. After the @JeepCares guy talked to the dealer, he said this was between me and the dealer.
He (@JeepCares) couldn't even comment on if this voided my warranty.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I'd take what you have posted to an attorney for a consultation.

 

[Remorseless]

Take the Jeep to another dealer, have said dealer confirm the damage was caused by the other dealership, get the damage fixed, and then present the offending dealer with the analysis and bill. They will probably refuse to pay. You will probably have to get a lawyer.

Can also leverage local news media consumer watchdog reporting to drag their name through the mud if you present them with the video and details. Local news media loves this kind of undercover thing with video to back it up.

 

[WhereRU_A-A-Ron]

Not surprised @JeepCares doesn’t care.

Again, especially for those of us in Arkansas, I’d 100% identify this dealership so we can all run the other direction.

Edit: OP has posted the dealership.

 

[Punkn89]

Damn @JeepCares y'all suck monkey butt.

OP - good luck with all of this. Great job documenting everything.

 

[Remorseless]

Red River Dodge. Name is on the techs shirt you can see when he stops

Man who watches the video OP posts before replying with their completely well founded and researched opinion. Bruh.

 

[whitechocolate]

Take the Jeep to another dealer, have said dealer confirm the damage was caused by the other dealership, get the damage fixed, and then present the offending dealer with the analysis and bill. They will probably refuse to pay. You will probably have to get a lawyer.

Can also leverage local news media consumer watchdog reporting to drag their name through the mud if you present them with the video and details. Local news media loves this kind of undercover thing with video to back it up.

this, dealerships hate bad reviews on their dealer review sites in and out of state and social media

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Thank goodness for your dash cam. At this point unfortunately I think a lawyer is your best bet.

 

[Maverick909]

I'd take what you have posted to an attorney for a consultation.

this is what i would do.

 

[ColtB45]

Any mechanics, or those mechanically inclined, have any thoughts on the technical aspects?

• How well do these Pentastars handle being overheated?
• Why isn't it triggering the CEL?
• What kind of damage was likely done?
• Is this likely degenerative, will it likely get worse?
• Whats the likely prognosis for this engine?

 

[JP52]

Seems like they should at least give you and extended warranty on the engine. Good luck.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Any mechanics, or those mechanically inclined, have any thoughts on the technical aspects?

• How well do these Pentastars handle being overheated?
• Why isn't it triggering the CEL?
• What kind of damage was likely done?
• Is this likely degenerative, will it likely get worse?
• Whats the likely prognosis for this engine?

Warping the heads and having blown head gaskets is the 1st issue that comes to mind. If the head warps it could impact the cams as well. These are probably a worst case scenario but something to keep an eye on. If it was run hot for less than 2 minutes the likelihood of damage is low.

I don't know how you would access it but if you could get a camera down there, if the heat tab (snitch sensor as he calls it) has changed colors or is melted then it would help your case:

 

[Heimkehr]

@ColtB45

Sorry to read of your dealership experience.

I very rarely or reflexively pivot to "Consult an attorney", but there are several things about your experience that make it the next reasonable move for you:

-Your prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, in the form of the provided video.
-Your excellent recordkeeping skills, as seen in your timestamp data. The attorney will see this and know that he'll have a client that makes his job easier.
-The wholesale lack of support from both the servicing dealer and the inaccurately named "Jeep Cares." On that point, document every interaction with every relevant party.
-Your credibility as a plaintiff: Your Jeep isn't far removed from new and yet has substantive mechanical issues that occurred both before and after your visit to the dealer. Said differently, you can make a legitimate claim about having valid reasons for having lost faith in the vehicle.

I speak from personal experience on that last point. After a warranty replacement of the short block in my 1995 Wrangler, and the same dealer who did that work ignoring me after the problem returned, I wanted nothing more to do with any of it. I then sold the vehicle back to Jeep and walked away from the brand for 25 years.

Maybe Red River Dodge needs to bleed a little red of their own.

Good luck.

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